Many love stories end in marriage; rare is the love story that begins with one—already promised, already worn. Set in San Francisco during the first year of Obama’s presidency, Three Stages of Amazement deftly charts the struggles and triumphs of Lena Rusch and her husband Charlie Pepper, still believe they can have it all--sex, love, marriage, children, career, brilliance. But life delivers surprises and tests--a stillborn child, an economic crash, a ruthless business rival and the attentions of an old lover. Touched by tragedy and by ordinary hopes unmet, Lena and Charlie must face, for the first time in their lives, real limitation.What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Your pick sounds interesting. I wonder if it ends up being one that's just really depressing with an ambiguous (possibly depressing) ending or whether the main characters can transcend their circumstances. That's what would make or break it for me!

I like the idea of story that points out life is not a fairytale and that ther will be difficult times. But, those times...the realities of our lives are actually to be treasured even more than a fantasy world that some people seem to think is love and marriage. Adding this one to my TBR...thanks for bringing my attention to it :)

Sounds intense, also sounds like the contemporary setting of the story will reel in quite a few readers! Hope you get it to read Jill, everyday people who are faced with major milestones and work to overcome them together are very interesting characters!

Isn't it weird to think that novels are already being set in the first year of Obama's presidency? It feels like the election was yesterday! Great pick, though it sounds like it might hit a little too close to home.

Carol Edgarian's novel is weighted down by the sheer banality of the characters, or rather, throwaways who should have been cut at the first edit. Husband Charlie Pepper spiraling down, who cares. Uncle Cal Rusch, the dime-a-dozen, hardened magnate, been there and there and there. "The Three Stages of Amazement," I don't want to be there, never, ever, again.